Mike Bassett To Launch Myoga At Vineyard Hotel And Spa

South Africa, Cape Town, Newlands, 11 September 2007; THE deluxe Vineyard Hotel and Spa is proud to announce that well known chef and restauranteur Mike Bassett will open a new eatery at the hotel called Myoga, set to open on 1 November 2007. Myoga replaces the Vineyard Hotel and Spa's Au Jardin restaurant. While Au Jardin was owned and operated by the hotel, Myoga will fall under the ownership of Mike Bassett. Au Jardin closed at the end of August, allowing time for a décor make-over in line with Basset's restaurant concept and philosophy. Bassett is the brain-child of Cape Town's phenomenally successful Ginja restaurant, which opened in November 2001. The venue was a success from day one and has been voted four times as a Top 10 Restaurant by the annual Johnny Walker Eat Out Awards and was also voted as South Africa's Best Restaurant by House & Leisure magazine for 2007. Shoga followed in November 2002 and has been a mega hit since its launch too. Myoga - meaning ginger blossom in Japanese will offer a similar menu concept as Ginja focusing on contemporary global fusion cuisine. The décor has been carefully created to ensure an ambience that is welcoming and relaxed. Lunch will target the local corporate market specifically and will be a casual yet sophisticated affair.

Expect to find a long mezze-styled table offering platters of tasty and nutritious temptations with influences from the East to the Mediterranean. The freshest of produce will be the order of the day and patrons will be able to choose as little or as much as they prefer using the weigh-by-plate charging structure. 'The many business persons that work in Cape Town's southern suburbs will now have the opportunity to enjoy a great meal in idyllic surroundings in literally a half hour time frame if they so wish', comments Bassett. Dinner will be a la carte and expect to find signature dishes including Ginja's Greatest Hits. Bassett will continue to be closely involved with Ginja and Shoga and will play the role of Executive Chef of the three venues. He is well known for his highly trained and motivated chef brigade who are accountable for their respective kitchens. Myoga will be open six (6) days a week, Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. For comment contact Mike Bassett at bassett@iafrica.com or Stewart Banner - Sales and Marketing Executive of the Vineyard Hotel and Spa at stewart@vineyard.co.za. The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is privately owned and family operated. It is a world-class deluxe hotel situated in Cape Town's suburb of Newlands and offers 175 recently refurbished and stylish rooms, an award winning conference venue, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and Angsana Spa, the Square Restaurant and now Myoga. The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is also a mere 15 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town International Airport and the city centre.